This blog will detail 1,000 video hikes in Southern California. By Southern California, I am drawing a line from San Luis Obispo to the Nevada Border. Anything south of that line will be declared "Southern California". In a way, it is a personal challenge to do so many hikes. Mainly, however, it is my way of showcasing how many hiking opportunities there really are right in our own geographic back yard. As a blog, it serves as a companion piece to my Youtube channel "Mike On The Trail". It is also a work in progress, as I don't actually have 1,000 edited videos completed. This will take effort for quite some time before it is declared done. Even then, there will still be more out there. Here's to hiking and all the positive effects it has had on my life...and possibly yours!
Onyx Summit is the highest point on Highway 38. It is also a good starting point for three nearby peaks. The obvious one, Onyx Peak, is right behind the parking area. However, to get started on the hike to Lightning Gulch Point involves carefully crossing the highway and continuing on a rocky dirt road. The trail is perhaps the rockiest and most difficult in the first mile, but thereafter, the climb is rather gradual the rest of the way. The pine trees are not very tall in this area, but many are wide and sturdy. The hike extends near the cliff's edge at times, but the ample tree cover keeps distant views to a minimum.
On the summit of Lightning Gulch Point.
After a steady climb, the trail drops into a draw with a steep rocky road climb to follow to the summit. The summit is marked with an unusual marker. The summit is wide and rounded, but the views aren't as great as expected since the trees around the edge of the summit block many of the viewpoints.
Heading to Peak 9385.
Instead of turning around there, I continued on to Peak 9385, which is less than a mile beyond. Most of the hike there was on retired four wheel drive roads. When getting close to the peak, I let the high point be my visual guide. The summit was marked with a summit cairn. This is a very remote spot, and I felt the need to hang out there for a little while and enjoy the moments. Afterwards, I retreated along the same route.
To the east of Wrightwood on Angeles Crest Highway, there is the Sheep Creek Bridge. To the east of the bridge is a wide pullout right at the southeast slope of East Table Mountain. Cross the creek bed here and look for a use trail going right up the slope. The trail was relatively straightforward on my visit, with no bushwhacking necessary. It connects with a road which continues going up. It continues to an area a little below the summit. At this point, the road bends to the right and goes away from the high point.
Getting close to the high point.
That's where I picked up a rather clear use trail which continued the climb to the top. A wide grassy summit is marked with a pile of rocks on the highest point. Good views from the summit of all the surrounding peaks (which are all higher than East Table Mountain). However, height isn't the main draw. This is a very secluded spot rarely visited by other hikers.
